Marijuana Use, Adolescent Brain Development and Educational Outcomes

We have known for quite some time that substance use during brain development periods can have a dramatic impact on a person's neurological health.   Different substances obviously impact the brain in different ways, but all of them do target the brain.

New research is coming out about marijuana and the brain.  More research is being done.  We will learn more about marijuana in the next few years than what we have ever known.   

Here are a few quick facts:

• Marijuana is 10-20x more potent than it was in the 1970's
• Marijuana has 50-70% more carcinogens than cigarettes
• Marijuana has over 4,000 unidentified  chemicals (both organic and synthetic)
• Marijuana overdose is rare, but possible.  We are seeing an increase in overdose with edibles and hash oil.
• Marijuana addiction is 6x more likely for teens than adults, especially if they begin using before age 15 or have a family history of addiction.
• Nationally, marijuana induced ER visits for teens are surpassing alcohol related visits.
• Lung cancer is 20x greater with marijuana use than cigarette use (mostly due to the way it is smoked) per a study done in 2012.  This is changing based on the chemical make up of marijuana products, potency, etc. 
• There is a tight connection between marijuana use at a young age and adulthood mental health symptoms.
• New research is showing heart issues associated with marijuana use.  Marijuana can increase the heart rate (50-100x faster depending on the study you read) and drop the blood pressure significantly.  This combination can have a lasting impact on the heart, especially with repetitive use or a family history of heart disease.
• Driving under the influence of marijuana can & does impair your driving.  A few years ago Montana ranked 2nd in the nation for fatal car accidents involving marijuana. 
• Marijuana alters the brain by altering memory, judgment and motor skills.
• Vaporizers, e-cigarettes and other methods of smoking marijuana are increasing among youth.  Youth believe these methods to be safer and have less impact on their physical health.  Vaporizers and other methods may cut out some of the tar, but they release other chemicals such as ammonia into the lungs. 

Here is a great article which just came out about marijuana use & academic outcomes:

http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/marijuana-use-educational-outcomes

Please get your facts when talking to kids about marijuana use.  There is a lot of bad information, confusing information and conflicting studies.  Make sure you are reading accurate information before relaying the message to youth.  If you have questions, please talk to your Project SUCCESS counselor or contact Western Montana Addiction Services- Adolescent Program for information.
Visit us at: www.facebook.com/WMASadolescent

Among High School Seniors, Driving After Marijuana Use Surpasses Drunk Driving | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Among High School Seniors, Driving After Marijuana Use Surpasses Drunk Driving | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CHEERS!

Dear Parents and Other Adults,

Holidays are a time for celebration.  It is also a time when we forgo some of our boundaries and throw caution to the wind.  As adults, we sometimes need to be reminded all eyes are on us.  Parents are the best role models for their kids (even when their kids are almost all grown up).

Here are a few tips for how you can help keep youth safe around the holidays:

1. Lock it up! Please be sure to lock up medication and alcohol.  Prescription drug use among teens is on the rise.  You may believe your kids or their friends would never abuse prescription drugs, and maybe you are right. Better safe than sorry. 
2. Supervision is key.  Of course you want to show your teen you trust his/her judgment, but they are still young and need guidance.  Do not leave alcohol or medications accessible in the home if you are hosting a party.  Most teens are glad their parents care enough to watch out for them, even if they do complain about it at the time.
3. Set clear rules and boundaries.  Around the holidays it is easy to relax our rules and expectations.  This maybe the time they need rules most.  Be clear in what you expect, what the consequences will be for any missteps, and why the rules are in place.  Let your teen know you care about them and the rules are to protect them.
4. Don't let your own values, boundaries or standards slide.  The choices you make  to do things you maybe wouldn't normally do set an example for your kids.  If you don't adhere to your own expectations for yourself around the holidays, why should your teen?  Having an extra drink, partying more often, and other changes in your behavior lead to your teens perception that it is "OK" to be wild and crazy around the holidays. 
5. Talk to your teen about fake ID's.  Talk to your teen about fake ID's.  Carrying a fake ID is illegal and can be dangerous if an accident were to occur.  It is hard to help a teen in trouble if authorities don't know their true identity. 
6. Don't drive intoxicated.  Talk to them about not getting into a car with someone who has been drinking or using other drugs.  Your child may not partake in drinking, but may not understand the consequences of getting in the car with someone else who has been drinking (INCLUDING YOURSELF).   Do not drive your children around if you have been drinking.  One drink is too much to drive.
7. Buckle up.   Many fatal accidents happen due to lack of seat belts.  Remember to buckle up.
8. Do not serve alcohol to your teens!  The younger a youth tastes alcohol, the higher the chance for addiction during their lifetime.  A youth who drinks alcohol before the age of 15 increases their chances of forming an addiction by 4x.  This increases if there is a family history of alcoholism or addiction.  Teens have developing brains and alcohol can impact how the brain develops. 
9. Help your teen learn refusal skills.  Teach them effective ways to refuse to partake in high risk activities.  Demonstrate these skills by using them yourself.  Let them know it is ok to say "no" or to walk away from a situation that is uncomfortable.

 

Have a safe holiday! 

Save the Date!

 

Several opportunities are coming up in the next couple weeks for educators, parents, professionals and youth.  See three of the events below.

 



 

 

 

 

 

Below event is for SENTINEL HIGH SCHOOL ONLY!!!

Introduction

What is Project SUCCESS?

Schools
Using
Coordinated
Community
Efforts to
Strengthen
Students

Project SUCCESS is a confidential and free resource for students and parents located in Missoula area High Schools.  The program is designed to provide school-based services to inform, assist and support high school students and their families.  Project SUCCESS offers a host of services including:

• Substance use prevention education
• Student outreach and referral
• Short-term individual and group counseling
• Consultation with school personnel about student needs and related school policies
• Support for students who are at-risk for substance use, use substances, and/or need support coping with another person's substance use.

Students are taught skills in:

• Communication
• Decision-making
• Assertiveness
• Stress and anger management
• Problem solving
• Refusal Skills
• Peer pressure resistance
• And other coping strategies.

Goals of Project SUCCESS are:

1. Discourage student's initial use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
2. Reduce student's use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
3. Enhance resiliency of students and help them to make positive life choices.

Through Project SUCCESS students will:

• Develop an understanding of the causes and effects of alcohol and other drugs.
• Learn healthy coping skills for dealing with life changes.
• Develop an awareness of how alcohol and other drugs affect the family.
• Develop skills for coping with pressures and problems.
• Contribute ideas to schools and community on how to reduce teen substance use.

We will be using this blog to educate the community, parents, teachers, and students.  In the near future you will be introduced to each Project SUCCESS Counselor and be given their contact information.